1Ah Caroline... come on in. Sit down.
2Thanks.
3So how's the dissertation planning going?
4Well Dr Schulmann, I'm still having a lot of trouble deciding on a title.
5Well, that's perfectly normal at this stage.
6And this is what your tutorials will help you to do.
7Right.
8What we'll do is jot down some points that might help you in your decision.
9First of all, you have chosen your general topic area, haven't you?
10Yes, it's the fishing industry.
11Oh yes, that was one of the areas you mentioned.
12Now, what aspects of the course are you good at?
13Well, I think I'm coping well with statistics,
14and I'm never bored by it.
15Good. Anything else?
16Well, I found computer modelling fascinating -
17I have no problem following what's being taught,
18whereas quite a few of my classmates find it difficult.
19Well, that's very good.
20Do you think these might be areas you could bring into your dissertation?
21Oh yes, if possible.
22It's just that I'm having difficulty thinking how I can do that.
23You see, I feel I don't have sufficient background information.
24I see.
25Well, do you take notes?
26I'm very weak at note-taking.
27My teachers always used to say that.
28Well, I think you really need to work on these weaknesses before you go any further.
29What do you suggest?
30Well, I can go through the possible strategies with you and let you decide where to go from there.
31Okay, thanks.
32Well, some people find it helpful to organise peer-group discussions -
33you know, each week a different person studies a different topic and shares it with the group.
34Oh right.
35It really helps build confidence, you know, having to present something to others.
36I can see that.
37The drawback is that everyone in the group seems to share the same ideas...
38they keep being repeated in all the dissertations.
39Okay.
40You could also try a service called 'Student Support'.
41It's designed to give you a structured programme over a number of weeks to develop your skills.
42Sounds good.
43Yes, unfortunately there are only a few places.
44But it's worth looking into.
45Yes, of course.
46I know I've got to work on my study skills.
47And then there are several study skills books you can consult.
48Right.
49They'll be a good source of reference
50but the problem is they are sometimes too general.
51Yes, that's what I've found.
52Other than that, I would strongly advise quite simple ideas like using a card index.
53Well, yes, I've never done that before.
54It's simple, but it really works because you have to get points down in a small space.
55Another thing I always advise is don't just take your notes and forget about them.
56Read everything three times - that'll really fix them in your mind.
57Yes, I can see it'd take discipline but...
58Well, if you establish good study skills at this stage, they'll be with you all your life.
59Oh yes. I completely agree.
60It's just that I don't seem to be able to discipline myself.
61I need to talk things over.
62Well, we'll be continuing these tutorials of course.
63Let's arrange next month's now. Let's see...
64I can see you virtually any time during the week starting the 22nd of January.
65What about the 24th?
66I'm free in the afternoon.
67Sorry, I'm booked then.
68What about the following day?
69The Thursday?
70I can make the morning.
71Fine, we'll go for the 25th then.
72That's great, thanks.